Homeschooling: What Every Parent Should Know about the NEW SAT & ACT, Part 2

Today is part 2 of Lauren Gaggioli's post about the new SAT and ACT.  If you missed the first part, you can find it here.

The Three Elephants In The Room

Homeschooling: What Every Parent Should Know about the NEW SAT & ACT

 Today, Lauren Gaggioli of Higher Scores Test Prep is my guest writer.  Lauren addresses changes in the ACT and SAT and advises on what you should do about them and even how they relate to Common Core.  This is a 2 part series, so be sure to sign up to receive blog posts or bookmark this site.

HOMESCHOOLING: The Final Year

After 24 years of homeschooling, it is hard to believe this year has finally arrived.

The final year.

When I started homeschooling, I took it one year at a time.

I didn’t look ahead

What Does "Test Optional" College Admission Mean for Homeschoolers?

I received this request from Jennifer this week:

           I would like to see you write on your blog about the potential new trend

          of colleges not requiring test scores for admission. George Washington University

          dropped this requirement for incoming freshmen. How do you feel this will

          change admission for homeschool graduates if it becomes more wide spread like

           expected? I can see it being a potential double edged sword.

Homeschool Curriculum Clearance Sale

I suppose this could be called my 'going out of business' sale.  After 20+ years of homeschooling, I am graduating my last student.
So, it is time to clear my shelves! (or at least some of them)

Preparing for the New SAT

Now that the initial uproar about the new SAT has subsided, it is time to think about how to prepare your student for the new test   If your student will graduate in 2017 or beyond, they will be taking the new SAT, if they take the SAT.

As I mentioned last year, one option would be to take only the ACT test.


 But, if you want some excellent information on preparing for the test,

YOUTH THEATER CONFERENCE, grades 6-12

We are blessed with a phenomenal youth theater program in our community.  My three younger children have been active participants in it, and our family has enjoyed attending shows there for many, many years.

Homeschool Year 23 in Review

We have officially completed our school year.

Even though I am usually always ready to be done with the school year, I do like to look back and reflect on what we accomplished.

Our Year in Review, looks like this:

4 Essentials for Parents of High School Grads

It's that time of year again.

The time of year when high school seniors exclaim, "Finally!" because they thought graduation day would never arrive.

The time of year when parents wonder "Where did the time go?" because they turn around and their 'baby' is a young adult ready to graduate high school.

Why Sentence Diagramming is Important

 I use Rod and Staff grammar curriculum and as a result, my students have had many years of sentence diagramming.  

Year after year, they diagrammed increasingly more difficult sentences as part of their English lessons.  Many times wondering, "What is the point of this?"

Regularly Writing Reaps Rewards

    "CONGRATULATIONS!

One or more of the student essays you submitted to our "War on the Little Guy" Essay Contest has been chosen as a WINNER!"

When I received this email notification,  I was very excited to see how my son had placed in this contest. I clicked over to the winners page of the website as I hollered the news to Jesse in the next room!

View list of Finalist Winners.
Scan list.  His name isn't there.

From Homeschool to College, An Expert Opinion

 I recently had the opportunity to be a podcast guest with Lauren Gaggioli at Higher Scores Test Prep.

 Lauren introduced the podcast by saying this:

 Karen shares her tips on how to prepare homeschooled children for the college admission process. While Karen’s tips are great advice for the homeschooling families in our audience, she shares great tips that – frankly – all families (even traditionally schooled ones) will benefit from. 

Can Homeschoolers Get into College?

Can home educated students get into college?

Landry Academy Review and a Giveaway

Chemistry is not my favorite subject.

I did not have a good introduction to it in high school and avoided it as much as possible in college.

How is it then, that I have gotten to my seventh (and final round) of high school Chemistry in my homeschool without actually teaching it?

Scholarship Applications: A Student's Viewpoint

 Senior year is full of what seems to be an endless supply of application forms.

You can research and read about applying for scholarships.

I can tell you about the application process from my point of view as the parent.

But, have you ever wondered what the student applying for scholarships thinks about the process?

My high school senior, who has filled out numerous applications this year, blogged about the process recently.

He lists four reasons why he doesn't particularly like the process.
Reason number 4, I find to be particularly true.

Read his post here  and tell me if you agree or disagree with him.

Graduation Announcements

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage from Shutterfly/Tinyprints if you make a purchase using this link.

I posted Tips for Planning a homeschool graduation some time back.  Here you can find the variety of graduation ceremonies we have had for our five graduates.

Look at This Loan

"Tell your mom friends who are still homeschooling about that."

Such was the advice I received from a friend as we were discussing college and how our students are paying for it.

She was telling me about the Texas Be On Time Loan (or BOT).  How had I missed this no interest loan that would be forgiven if a student graduates in 4 years and maintains at least a 3.0 GPA? 

I probably discounted it due to the nature of its name:  loan.  We prefer our students not need to take a loan for undergrad.  However, this loan intrigued me.

What my friend Melanie wants you to know, however, is that this loan requires students to have completed a "Recommended or Distinguished Achievement Program - Advanced High School Program or its equivalent."

Can I Write a Letter of Recommendation to Colleges for My Student??

 

Part of the college application process involves asking for letters of recommendation from school counselors, teachers, and other people who know the student well.

Homeschool students often run into the problem of who to ask for a letter of recommendation.  If students have been involved in co-op classes, dual credit classes, music lessons, or community service, they should have plenty of choices for letters of recommendation.

Can you, the parent/teacher/counselor write a letter of recommendation for your own child? 

Welcome to the Real World, Part 6 (final)

This class was taught during 10 class sessions at our local co-op.  I have combined some of the weeks into this 6 week blog series.  The tenth class period was spent making display boards to display during our afternoon of enrichment.

Last week, students were required to find a home they could afford to buy and research a little about home loans.

Some of the students learned that they didn't have enough savings for a down payment or didn't have enough income to afford to buy a house, yet.

In class, we discussed types of loans and some decisions that need to be made when purchasing a home.

Some of the in class teaching included:

WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, part 5

I am back from my blogging hiatus and ready to finish my series on Welcome to the Real World.

In part 4, students were given homework that included finding a place to live and making a budget.

Most of the students found that rent was more than they expected.